Written by Jackie Hudson, Central Georgia District: May 20, 2015
What is a STD?
STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) is an infection that is passed during sex.
How an STD is spread?
STD is spread during vaginal, anal, oral sex and sometimes by genital touching. Can I have an STD and not know it? Sure you can, sometimes you can have an STD with no signs or symptoms and sometimes the symptoms may go away. Either way you will have the STD until you are treated. Some STD’s (HIV and Hepatitis B) are also spread by contact with infected blood. STD germs need to live in warm, moist areas. That’s why they infect the mouth, rectum and sex organs (vagina, vulva, penis and testicals).
What are some symptoms of an STD?
Remember some people have an STD with no symptoms. Here are some symptoms to watch for:
WOMEN
• Burning or itching around your vagina
• Bleeding from your vagina that is not your regular period
• An unusual discharge or smell from your vagina
• Pain in your pelvic area, the area between your belly button and sex organs
•Pain deep inside your vagina when you have sex
MEN
• A drip or discharge from your penis
WOMEN AND MEN
• The need to urinate often
• Swelling in your groin area around your sex organs
• Sores, bumps, or blisters near your sex organs, rectum or mouth
• A swelling or redness in your throat
• Burning and pain when you urinate or have a bowel movement
• Itching around your sex organs
• Flu like feeling, with fever, chills, and aches
What must I do if I have a symptom(s) of an STD?
Go to your Doctor or Local Health Department. Get checked now and get treated. Don’t put it off. Some STD’s infect your sexual and reproductive organs as well.
How can I prevent getting an STD?
Not having sex is the safest and the best way to protect you from an STD. We call it Abstinence.
What if I still have sex in spite of?
Then I would say protect yourself by using protective measures, still that is no guarantee. The only safe sex is no sex.
Sources:
• http://www.cdc.gov/std